P. Kalimuthu

P. Kalimuthu "Bentong Kali" (January 22, 1961 – June 29, 1993) was a notorious Malaysian gangster who attained national fame in the 1990s.^[1] He was implicated in 17 different murders; terrorized the capital through violence, extortion and heroin smuggling. He also made headlines when he challenged the police to arrest him. He was gunned down, finally, by the Royal Malaysian Police's Special Operations Command from Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.^[2]

Personal life

Bentong Kali was born to an Indian family in Bentong, Pahang. He is the eighth child out of his eleven siblings.^[3]

Bentong Kali is also said to have drawn a lot of tattoos on his body. He has 'BORN TO DIE' tattoo on his right hand and a picture of a tiger head on his left hand. On both of his thighs, he has pictures of a naked women tattooed, following with a snake and eagle character tattoos on his back. Kalimuthu also has a surgical scar on the abdomen.^[4]

His favourite choice of weapon was his German made semi-automatic pistol, SIG Sauer P226.^[5]

Career

Kali's criminal career started early in his childhood, he was arrested at the age 14. Being imprisoned at this young age did not convince him to repent after his release at the age 19. He returned to wallow in the world of crime by joining the Chinese triad called 'Gang 04' in Bentong, Pahang. Together with illegal groups and his new criminal accomplices, Kalimuthu was active around the capital in Brickfields, Segambut, Sungai Wei and Ampang. He was arrested again in July 1985 under the Emergency Ordinance and was placed in jail in Penang but was released soon after in 1987. He was placed under limited residence restrictions in Kuantan, Pahang.

Kalimuthu refused to take up the second opportunity given to him to repent returned to the criminal world soon after. However, this time, he chose not to participate in the existing criminal groups and instead he set up his own triad called 'Gang 04' in Jalan Klang Lama, Kuala Lumpur.

Racketeering

Initially, he joined the Chinese triad called 'Gang 04' and subsequently left it to join another Indian triad 'Gang 08'. He was placed under house arrest, he returned to the gang community by establishing his own triad called 'Gang 04 Jalan Klang Lama' in Kuala Lumpur.

Drug-trafficking

'Gang 04' groups were actively involved in trafficking drugs and for the offense Kalimuthu was arrested again in April 1990 and charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. However, he escaped punishment when there were not enough evidence to convict him. For the second time, he was placed under house arrest in Gopeng, Perak, for two years. Kalimuthu then disappeared in November 1984.

Killing spree

In 1991, he began to terrorize again. It was reported that Kalimuthu was back to commit murder for the sake of killing, causing police to launch a special operation called 'Ops Buncit' in June 1993 to stop his violence. Police classified his violence as that of someone who commits murder for the pure joy of killing instead of as a hired-to-kill assassin. 'Ops Buncit' was joined by 200 police personnel, including those from Kuala Lumpur , Selangor, Pahang who were massively mobilized to hunt down Bentong Kali .

Bentong Kali is also known for his hot temper. On 12 June 1993, he attended a family function without being invited. A commotion arose between his accomplices and the guests, and Kalimuthu killed few guests in the commotion.^[6]

'Ops Buncit'

In an attempt to capture Kalimuthu, posters of Kalimuthu and his crimes were put up in public places all over Malaysia. A bounty of RM100,000 was also advertised as a reward for information that would lead to his capture. His posters were also distributed to bordering countries such as Thailand to avoid Kalimuthu escaping to across the border. The hunt for Kalimuthu was a 24/7 operation, it was a continuous manhunt throughout the nation.

Death

Police intelligence brought them to his hideout in a double story terraced house in Medan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur on 29 June 1993. At the break of dawn, an elite team of police officers from the Special Operations Command from Bukit Aman took position and surrounded the house. Bentong Kali and his accomplices fired towards the officers. A head shot to Bentong Kali ended his life, putting an end to his notorious criminal career. His accomplices were also killed.

References